78-year-old and his wife fight off knife holding robbery attempt

"Jan. 10 at 9:15pm, officers  from the Winston-Salem Police Department were dispatched to an Armed Robbery at the Food Lion located at 1000 Waughtown St

Investigation revealed that the 78-year-old James Whittington of 1915 Oregon Street was returning his shopping cart in the parking lot when the suspect, operating a burgundy Jeep Cherokee, pulled next to him asking money for gas. The suspect exited his vehicle and approached the victim.  The victim told him he was not giving him anything.  The suspect then stated "give me what you got" while pointing a pocket knife at the victim.  The suspect lunged toward the victim but the victim was able to turn and avoid being stabbed.  The victim then grabbed the suspect causing both to fall to the pavement.  As the two were struggling on the ground, the victim’s wife approached and grabbed the back of the suspect’s shirt pulling him off of her husband.  The suspect yelled for her to let him go and then was able to run to his vehicle and leave the scene heading towards Thomasville Road and Sprague Street.

The suspect left in the newer model burgundy Jeep Cherokee.

The victim sustained a minor cut to his right hand, a sprain to his left hand and a bruised right elbow.  He was treated at the scene by Forsyth County EMS.

This case was referred to our Criminal Investigations Division.


The Winston-Salem Police Department requests that anyone with information regarding this crime contact CrimeStoppers at 336-727-2800."

- A Police Report

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